Omani Jambiya for comments

David · 30th April 2011, 05:49 PM

No shots of the blade?

Atlantia · 30th April 2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

No shots of the blade?

Good point David!
So any thoughts?

TVV · 30th April 2011, 07:16 PM

Congratulations from me as well - great piece overall, and I love the walrus ivory hilt.
Teodor

Lew · 30th April 2011, 08:27 PM

That is a lovely khanjar but I disagree on the the hilt. It seems to be elephant ivory to me not walrus. I see no pith in the surface which to me means elephant.

kahnjar1 · 30th April 2011, 09:22 PM

... but seriously a very nice piece Gene. Even the buckle is true Omani. A really good find, and if I am right another Arabian Peninsula collector emerges..............................

Atlantia · 30th April 2011, 09:47 PM

Teodor,
Thanks

I'm pretty pleased with it.

Lew,
Cheers, is Khanjar the technically correct name for these then?
The ivory shows some ageing whatever it is.

Stuart,

Thanks bud! It's all down to you really. I'll have to have a small display now I guess!

I love the silverwork, especially the buckle! It's a little cracker

Are ivory hilts significant on these or indicators of anything specific?
Tribal/region specific or status or age of the owner or something?

What about age of the piece?
Do you see many Omani with Ivory hilts?

Atlantia · 30th April 2011, 10:34 PM

As I write this I'm trying to get the polish residue out of the silver wire on the scabbard.
What a job!
Toothbrush and isopropol alcohol.

Gavin Nugent · 30th April 2011, 10:34 PM

Gene, have a little look closer at the surfaces and cross section of surfaces..
The info below may help you work it out as you have the piece in hand.

The initial image showed a good possibility of marine ivory especially with the fluted waist. Your follow up images also indicated that it could be marine ivory despite that the medulla wasn't utalized, (Small edges of the Medulla could well be present under the backing silver depending on the size of a tusk used and where and how a tusk is cut). Your further images also indicated the possibility or Elephant ivory. When considering Elephant ivory the cross section should reveal the Lines of Retzius or engine tuning.

kahnjar1 · 1st May 2011, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Teodor,
Thanks

I'm pretty pleased with it.

Lew,
Cheers, is Khanjar the technically correct name for these then?
The ivory shows some ageing whatever it is.

Stuart,

Thanks bud! It's all down to you really. I'll have to have a small display now I guess!

I love the silverwork, especially the buckle! It's a little cracker

Are ivory hilts significant on these or indicators of anything specific?
Tribal/region specific or status or age of the owner or something?

What about age of the piece?
Do you see many Omani with Ivory hilts?

Hi Gene,
To answer your question to Lew re correct name. In Oman these ARE called Khanjar which is pronounced KUN-JA. Are ivory hilts common? Not in my book...don't recall seeing one before on a dagger of this type, but suggest that some wealthy person had this made. Agewise I would say around mid to late 20th century, judging by condition and the fact that the buckle shows no wear. These are still being made NEW by the way, and the odd one is beginning to appear on a certain auction site.
Maybe Ibrahiim will come in on this and be able to give you some more conclusive opinion.
Stu

30th April 2011, 10:34 PM	#8
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	hilt Gene, have a little look closer at the surfaces and cross section of surfaces.. The info below may help you work it out as you have the piece in hand. The initial image showed a good possibility of marine ivory especially with the fluted waist. Your follow up images also indicated that it could be marine ivory despite that the medulla wasn't utalized, (Small edges of the Medulla could well be present under the backing silver depending on the size of a tusk used and where and how a tusk is cut). Your further images also indicated the possibility or Elephant ivory. When considering Elephant ivory the cross section should reveal the Lines of Retzius or engine tuning. Attached Images

30th April 2011, 05:49 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	No shots of the blade?

30th April 2011, 07:16 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,725	Congratulations from me as well - great piece overall, and I love the walrus ivory hilt. Teodor

30th April 2011, 08:27 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	That is a lovely khanjar but I disagree on the the hilt. It seems to be elephant ivory to me not walrus. I see no pith in the surface which to me means elephant.

30th April 2011, 09:22 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,812	... but seriously a very nice piece Gene. Even the buckle is true Omani. A really good find, and if I am right another Arabian Peninsula collector emerges..............................

30th April 2011, 09:47 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Teodor, Thanks I'm pretty pleased with it. Lew, Cheers, is Khanjar the technically correct name for these then? The ivory shows some ageing whatever it is. Stuart, Thanks bud! It's all down to you really. I'll have to have a small display now I guess! I love the silverwork, especially the buckle! It's a little cracker Are ivory hilts significant on these or indicators of anything specific? Tribal/region specific or status or age of the owner or something? What about age of the piece? Do you see many Omani with Ivory hilts?